Aly Raisman of Temple Beth Avodah in Newton, MA, poses with her gold medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games on July 31.
Photo by REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Reform Jewish Star Leads
“Fab Five” To Olympic Gold

Aly Raisman's performance on floor exercise, done to a jazzed-up version of Hava Nagila, sealed the U.S. squad’s victory over the Russian women.
(New York Jewish Week) Read More »

REFORM MOVEMENT AND
JEWISH WORLD NEWS

Romney, Obama Show Love for Israel in Their Own Separate Ways (JTA)

Cantor Brings Warmth and Spirit to Familiar Turf
(New Jersey Jewish News)

Recent HUC-JIR Grad Ready to Serve Others
(Fort Wayne News-Sentinal)

Is Your Congregation Participating in The God Survey? Some temples are using the survey to engage members in a thoughtful discussion about God. So far 2,500 people have taken the survey – don’t let your members be left out. Take the God Survey.

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Back to School: Reform Movement Takes Aim at Post-B’nai Mitzvah Dropouts (J Weekly)

Thank You to the Fundraisers at our Day Schools, And Just One Request (eJewish Philanthropy)

Israeli Summer Camps Venture into
Jewish Identity Building (JTA)

Reflections on Kick-off of Youth Engagement
Vision Team (RJ Blog)

The RAC's Machon Kaplan Program Reveals the ‘Circuitry’ of DC (New Jersey Jewish News)

Young Emissaries Bring Israel to Life for Campers (Canadian Jewish News)

EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Aug 8-12: Summer Learning Institute in Cincinnati, OH

Aug 22: Mitkadem Digital 101: A Webinar Demo

Aug 24-26: Nashir: NFTY Songleading Institute
for Teens in Warwick, NY

Aug 26-28: Going Beyond Memory:  A Conference on Synagogue Archiving in Cincinnati, OH

Oct 12-14: Teen Study Weekend in Cincinnati, OH

Oct 14-15: ARZA Annual Meeting in Newark, NJ

Shabbat

Throughout August, the URJ will feature stories and resources about Shabbat. Share your personal experiences as well as your congregational Shabbat program successes on the RJ blog.

This Week's Commentary

D'var Torah, Va-et'chanan,
"Adonai Echad"

Got Shabbat: Va-et'chanan
Activities and ideas to help parents and young children celebrate Shabbat together.

Ideas & Resources

Celebrate Shabbat at Home
Find what you need to enrich your knowledge and enliven your celebration.

Reform Judaism Magazine’s
Shabbat Archives
A variety of Shabbat-related articles including ways to re-imagine congregational services or how to make Shabbat more romantic.

NFTY Worship and Prayer
Resources for Teens
Resources include sample Divrei Torah written by teens, tips on how to write a D’var Torah, Shabbat service ideas, and Shabbat youth group programming ideas.

Social Action Shabbat Resources
Add a social action theme to your Shabbat services with these inspired ideas from the Religious Action Center.

12 Ways to Make Shabbat Services at Your Congregation More Like Camp
Make camp a part of your Shabbat worship experience.

URJ Books and Music:

Shabbat at
Home Kit

Four resources to help bring Shabbat into your home including an Invitation to Shabbat (with CD), A Beginner's Guide to Weekly Celebration Birkon Mikdash M'at (NFTY's Bencher), 52 Ways to Look at Shabbat Cards and a Do It Yourself Shabbat Guide.

UPCOMING HOLIDAYS

Today is Tu B'Av!
Tu B'Av, which occurs on the 15th of Av, is described in the Talmud as one of the two happiest days of the year. In ancient Israel, this day marked the beginning of the grape harvest. Today, it is celebrated as a day of love.

Rosh HaShanah Resources for Parents
Some simple steps parents can use to observe Rosh Hashanah and act as role models for their children.

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